Probiotics and hip replacements

Bones, joints and muscles
1

My doctor says I need to take antibiotics an hour before going to the dentist. I go to the dentist twice a year for cleanings and, therefore, take antibiotics twice a year. I really don’t like doing this because of the damage done to the good bacteria in my stomach. Last month, 2 days after my dentist visit, I had to go to the bathroom all day. I read that the antibiotics could have caused this. I’ve been researching what I can do to reestablish good gut bacteria after taking antibiotics. One of the recommendations is to take probiotics. It seems like a good idea and could help get the little guys going quicker in my stomach.
My question is; could probiotics and yogurts somehow get in the bloodstream and take up residence in my replacement? I will ask my doctor, but I’m curious if anyone has heard of any problems with taking probiotics?

Thanks!

Jim

2

I’m re-posting this because it looks like the original post got cut off somehow. My question is; can bacteria from probiotics or yogurt get into the blood stream and take up residence in my hip replacements? I have to take antibiotics twice a year before each of my dentist visits (doctor’s orders). I’ve been reading that probiotics could help reestablish good gut bacteria faster after taking antibiotics. But could the extra intake of bacteria in the form of food (probiotics) somehow move into the bloodstream? I’ll ask my doctor, but I’m curious what others think.

Thanks
Jim

3

hi. my understanding is now unless you are having an extraction or something like a root canal you no longer need antibiotics routinely for dental examinations etc. I’m in the uk so it may be different where you are.
as for your question re prebiotics I’d doubt theyd basically infect you especially blood wise with bacteria otherwise theyd never he allowed to be sold due to the routine risk. that’s my take on it but someone e may have another answer. under normal circumstances they’re a good idea to re establish normal gut flora ( bactetia) that antibiotics will destroy.

4

You really have 2 questions here.

In the UK it used to be recommended to take a broad spectrum antibiotic prior to dental visits, the theory being that this would prevent a bacteraemia and mouth organisms landing on the hip implant. I understand this to be an extrapolation of the treatment given to some cardiac patients with faulty heart valves who do need antibiotics before dental treatment as the mouth flora could go to the heart valves and cause problems. However in the UK, at least, it is now understood that for the majority of people this is not required as the immune system can deal with a transient bacteraemia , exceptions being some treatments such as root canal fillings etc

Probiotics are ingested and do not enter the blood stream.

5

I have my next dental appointment in February for cleaning. My hip replacement was this past September. When I asked for antibiotics for that dental visit the nursing staff told my doctor no longer felt that was a requirement or a need. I am going to ask the dentist and see what he says.

6

I had my hip replacement 7 weeks ago and am due to have a crown done on a broken tooth in January. When I asked my surgeon at the six week check up whether I would need antibiotics he said some dentists don’t give them but its a shame to risk the implant.
I had told my dentist that I was having the hip done in October so that is why he said to leave it 3 months afterwards for the crown.
Should I insist on the antibiotics?

7

Thanks for all the responses. I live in the U.S. I know it’s different in other countries, but my doctor here tells me to take the antibiotics. I really don’t want to, but feel obligated to, and am a little scared not to because of the stories I’ve heard about infections. However, I know the antibiotics are killing the good bacteria in my stomach. I spent all day in the bathroom after my last bout of antibiotics last month (I know, tmi). That’s why I asked about the probiotics. Sounds like a good idea, but I thought I read somewhere that they could be introduced into the bloodstream if you had a tear in your stomach lining (or something like that). Maureen, I would talk this over with your doctor again, as I will. I don’t know enough to answer any questions about this intelligently.

8

hi Maureen. I had my OP in may this year and had a crown fitted in september and didn’t get any antibiotics ( I did ask if I needed any and he sd no). anyway I’ve been fine since no problems at all.
good luck